Microsoft to launch Office for Mac 2011 on Oct. 26

Microsoft on Tuesday announced that it will launch Office for Mac 2011, the latest version of its top-selling software suite, on Oct. 26, with preorders now being taken.

All versions of Office for Mac 2011 are now available for preorder from Amazon. They include the Home and Student Edition, Home and Business, and separate purchases of PowerPoint for Mac, Word for Mac and Excel for Mac.

On the official Office for Mac 2011 blog, the company also released its last behind-the-scenes look at the development of the latest version of Office. The company highlighted the new "Dynamic Reorder" feature, which gives users the ability to interactively reorder all layers in a document or presentation.

Office for Mac 2011 also includes a new "Full Screen" view that offers two perspectives optimized for writing and another for reading.

Microsoft also said that the newest Office for Mac was developed with performance improvements a top priority. The team said they hope users appreciate the effort that went into it when they experience the launch speed of each application, as well as the overall speed of the suite.

Office for Mac 2011 was sent to manufacturing earlier this month, and Amazon had previously listed the Oct. 26 date. However, Tuesday's announcement is the official confirmation of when it will launch.

Customers who purchase Office 2008 for Mac between Aug. 1, 2010 and Nov. 30, 2010 are eligible for a free upgrade. All other users will have to purchase the standalone versions. Prices start at $119 for the Home and Student version, which lacks Outlook, and $199 for the Home and Business version. An Academic version will also be offered to qualifying students and educators for $99.

For more, see AppleInsider's previous coverage of Office for Mac 2011: